Forest Laboratories Settles Lexapro Marketing Allegations

Madison, WIWisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen recently announced that Forest Laboratories and subsidiary Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. have paid nearly $1.5 million to settle allegations of improper marketing of drugs such as Lexapro.

According to a release from the Attorney General's office, the pharmaceutical company paid $1,427,527.98 to Wisconsin Medicaid as part of the settlement.

Lexapro, an antidepressant, was only recently approved for pediatric use, according to the release. Allegations centered around Forest paying illegal kickbacks to physicians as incentives for them to prescribe Lexapro and Celexa for uses that had not been approved, the release said.

"This settlement tells those who choose to participate in the Medicaid program that they have to scrupulously follow the rules," Van Hollen said in the release. "We have to use our limited taxpayer dollars wisely and effectively."

The use of Lexapro, which has been linked to the birth defect Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn (PPHN), can also lead to less serious side effects such as nausea, heartburn or stomach pain, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.